Amazon MGM Studios vs Sony

Amazon Uses AI to Sync Dubbed Lip Movements on Prime Video

Amazon is deploying an AI-driven 'Visual Dubbing' feature on Prime Video to adjust actors' lip movements to match synchronized audio tracks. The technology, which combines AI with classic VFX techniques, will first roll out on the series 'Maxton Hall', with the English dubbed versions of the first two seasons already available worldwide. The feature will also be available for the third and final season premiering on December 9, 2026. Human voice actors remain the source of the dubbed voices; only the visual component is altered. Prime Video has been experimenting with AI in dubbing, including a pilot program for AI-generated voices, but this new approach does not replace human speakers.

• Amazon's Visual Dubbing uses AI and VFX to match lip movements to dubbed audio.
• The feature is available for the English dub of 'Maxton Hall' seasons 1 and 2.
• The third and final season of 'Maxton Hall' will feature Visual Dubbing starting December 9, 2026.

Prime Video Unveils 2026/27 German Originals Slate

At a Berlin event, Prime Video unveiled its 2026/27 German originals slate, emphasizing continuity. The streamer now reaches over 17 million monthly ad-supported viewers. Highlights include the Gaumont-produced adaptation of Lilly Lucas's 'This Could Be Love'; the eighth season of 'LOL: Last One Laughing' around Easter 2027 and season two of 'LOL Next,' renewed before its first season aired; and the third and final 'Maxton Hall' season, premiering December 9. New titles span 'Perfekt Zusammen?!' with Anke Engelke and Bastian Pastewka, 'Drive – The Pretenders,' 'Queen Silvia' with Sat.1, Dennis Gansel's 'The Prototype,' and 'Holey Moley – Minigolf Extreme.' A fourth season of 'The 50' was confirmed. Tara Erer of Amazon MGM Studios noted German originals' global success, following Christoph Schneider's departure.

• Prime Video announced its 2026/27 German originals slate in Berlin.
• 'Maxton Hall' returns for its third and final season on December 9.
• 'LOL: Last One Laughing' gets season 8 around Easter 2027; 'LOL Next' season 2 was renewed before season 1 aired.

Petra Hengge on Amazon, Data and Creative Work

This profile/interview with Petra Hengge, head of German originals series at Amazon MGM Studios, covers her role commissioning German-language series, recent leadership departures at Amazon Germany, and her view on data and artificial intelligence in fiction production. Hengge, who joined Amazon in summer 2021 from RTL, emphasizes that data is used to validate intuition but cannot replace creative judgment. She says little AI was used on hits like Maxton Hall and only limited experimentation occurs in post-production. The piece also mentions current projects such as the Switzerland-set Superior and Amazon's upcoming Prime Video showcase in Berlin.

• Philip Pratt, Head of German Originals, left Amazon Germany in early August.
• Petra Hengge is Head of German Originals Series at Amazon MGM Studios; she joined in summer 2021 from RTL.
• Amazon/Prime Video will present upcoming highlights in Berlin on September 3.

Sony Announces New Press Releases for September 2026

Sony has added several new press releases for September 2026, including the Sony Innovation Fund exhibiting at CEATEC 2026, a major animation co-production between Japanese and African studios, enhancements to the World Athletics Ultimate Championship experience, support for flood and earthquake victims, and a non-binding MoU between Sony Semiconductor Solutions and Aramco.

Marvel's Wolverine Arrives on PlayStation 5: Inside Insomniac Games' New Adventure

Sony's blog announces the release of Marvel's Wolverine on PlayStation 5, developed by Insomniac Games, as a new major product launch.

Sony Innovation Fund to Exhibit at CEATEC 2026

Sony Innovation Fund to Exhibit at CEATEC 2026, showcasing co-creation initiatives through investment and incubation.